Travel Top 5: Alternative places to celebrate Carnival

Benoit Doppagne, AFP/Getty Images)02.25.2014

Here are five places that you may have never considered visiting for their versions of Mardi Gras:

Benoit Doppagne
/ AFP/Getty Images)

5. Binche, Belgium
The Binche Carnaval has a history dating back to the 14th century and was recently named by UNESCO as one of the "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." Sounds serious, but the party is anything but. Binche holds three parades in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday, with the final one featuring costumed characters known as Gilles who throw blood oranges into the crowd. Just don't throw them back or you'll be pelted by them!

4. Port of Spain, Trinidad
The bachanalia of Rio de Janeiro's famed Carnival meets its match with the soca and calypso-driven celebrations on this Caribbean island. Visitors can enjoy music competitions, parades of barely-costumed revellers and all sorts of joyful celebrations throughout the country which culminate on Fat Tuesday in Port of Spain.

3. Ovar, Portugal
As a former colony, Brazil learned how to party from its mother country, Portugal where they refer to Fat Tuesday as Entrudo. Every town seems to celebrate with its own traditions so no matter where you go, you'll enjoy a different experience. If you're going to choose only one, though, probably the most famous locale to celebrate Carnival is Ovar which features a massive parade that draws thousands.

2. Mobile, Alabama
New Orleans is a magnet for tourists who want to celebrate Mardi Gras, but Mobile has been celebrating the day even before the French Quarter existed. It is actually the oldest Mardi Gras festival in the United States. Beginning two Fridays before Mardi Gras, there is usually at least one parade every night.

1. Viareggio, Italy
Venice and its masked revellers get all the attention, but Europe's best pre-Letnen Carnival is celebrated in the Italian coastal town of Viareggio, located about 400 kilometres northwest of Rome. Over several consecutive Sundays, the town unleashes parades of colourful floats and revellers.

Travel Top 5: Alternative places to celebrate Carnival

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